Paul Kosgei, the only athlete to run under 60 minutes for a half-marathon in Britain, returns to defend his BUPA Great North Run title this weekend.

Twelve months ago the 25-year-old Kenyan crossed the finish line in South Shields in 59min 58sec, four seconds ahead of Tanzania's John Yuda.

Kosgei (pictured) then went on to win the world half-marathon title in Brussels and is red-hot favourite to win his second GNR and subsequently continue Africa's domination of the men's race.

Kosgei's form in 2002 earned him a place at the top of the world road racing rankings, relegating the great Haile Gebrselassie into second place.

Africans have won the last 12 stagings of the GNR and also looking to increase the tally is New York Marathon champion Rodgers Rop, who finished in third place in last year's GNR.

Julius Kibet, who won the Bristol Half-Marathon in 62:52 two weeks ago, is another Kenyan expected to do well while this year's Blaydon Race winner, Switzerland-based Ethiopian Tesfaye Eticha, steps up in class and may cause an upset.

Spain's Julio Rey is the strongest European entry though three-time European Cross-Country champion, Sergey Lebid (Ukraine) is an interesting entry.

If he can repeat his cross-country form on to the roads he could be one of the race's surprise package.

No British man has won the race since Bolton's Steve Kenyan triumphed in 1985 - before that it was Elswick's Mike McLeod in 1981 and 1982.

That is likely to remain the case for at least another year, although a number of Britons will be looking to make breakthroughs.

Andy Coleman surprised a host of people to finish second three years ago and the Enfield and Haringey runner is showing good form again.

Others who could well finish in the top 10 include Mark Steinle (Blackheath), Sam Haughian (Windsor), Bingley's Chris Cariss, the leading Brit in this year's London Marathon, and Andy Pearson (Longwood).